We were supposed to be on vacation this week. But we are not, because my ultra responsible husband decided it was best to stay home and look for jobs and be available for phone calls and interviewing. (If I sound sarcastic I am not. Doug is looking for jobs 12 hours a day. I'm not kidding.) But I'm still off of work, so Michael and I have planned what I have dubbed "Michael and Mommy week of fun." But I also need to do this without spending money. So week of fun is going to include the pool. And some play dates. And a Disney event we were invited to on Thursday. And shoe shopping and a haircut, for Michael.
One thing I'm really, really going to try to do is GET OFFLINE, PUT THE PHONE DOWN and pay attention. It is something I always say I'm going to do but don't do. But he is starting 1st grade in one week. And I feel like he is such a BIG KID. Kindergarten was one thing but FIRST GRADE is the real deal. And we also have karate, soccer, religious school, and all the homework that school brings as well. Which means I will probably see him an hour a week once school starts. Or something like that.
But I'm not crafty and I'm not creative. So I don't have really, really good ideas for this week. I need to keep him quiet and out of the house so Doug can look for a job, without spending a ton of money. Anyone want to have us over? Anyone have any great ideas? I have a move gift card to spend but Michael, under no circumstances, want to see the Smurfs. I don't want to see the Smurfs either but it is the only kid movie out right now.
I suspect Week Of Fun is going to be week of pool. Because I don't really have any other great ideas. Let's hope it doesn't rain.
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At the risk of giving an unsolicited suggestion…
You could set up a scavenger hunt to do with him in your local area/neighborhood. I bet you could even find a list online that someone already made so you wouldn’t have to think of items yourself. It could even be a long enough list that you could bring it out and about with you through the week. Just a little something to tack on to the other fun activities.
Enjoy your boy!
Check with the library, Chamber of commerce, Rec department, etc, (including those of neighboring cities,) ans see if they have ‘movies in the park’ or other free events. Usually they do for the week before school starts.
I’m chuckling–my boy wants nothing to do with the Smurfs either. NO-THING. Enjoy the week with Michael…I have a feeling first grade will be a better year for him!
Have you guys been to National Harbor? The National Children’s Museum Launch Zone is having a Hawaii Statehood Luau this week, M,W,F from 11am-4pm. I’d say that place could entertain Michael for 45mins-1 hour. We love to pack a lunch and hit the NCM events around 11am-Noon then eat lunch on the dock/pier then play in the sand at the Awakening Statue. Parking will be about $5. It’s a fun, cheap day!
http://www.ccm.org/home/events/hawaii-statehood-luau-Aug-24
Natural History Museum? Air and Space? Is the Building Museum still free? All the Smithsonians on the Mall are, as well as Udvar Hazy.
We always go to the Butterfly Pavilion in Wheaton before school starts — it costs something but there also is a nature center there which is free and then the park and train (I can’t recall if the train costs anything). It could take a few hours to see it all and lots of walking exercise.
Not sure how far this is from you but have you ever been to the Reston Zoo? We took our kids and they loved it. It’s a petting zoo and you can feed the animals food and also milk from bottles. It’s good for a couple of hours…especially if you make a day trip out of it. Also, I don’t know if you have any major universities by you, but we take our kids down to the University of Arizona all the time and just put down a blanket and let them run around and explore. It’s amazing how entertained that keeps them. We did the same thing at George Mason.
I’m at Work, but if you want, I am sure Melissa would love yo have you all over for a play date. I know she is looking for things to do this week before school starts back up.